Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

Three are the basic points of the Service of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, which most likely constitutes a poem of the Holy Hymnographer Theophanes the Branded: his relationship with the apostles Peter and Paul, the writing of his Gospel, and his activity in the region of Alexandria together with the martyrdom that followed it. Already from the beginning it emphasizes that he became a fellow-traveler of the Apostle Paul and passed through all Macedonia with him, but in Rome he was shown to be the sweet interpreter of Peter’s preaching, while in Egypt, where he chiefly preached, he gave his life in a martyric manner (“Having become a fellow-traveler of the chosen vessel, and having passed through all Macedonia with him; and having gone to Rome, you were shown to be the sweet interpreter of Peter; and you found rest after having struggled in a God-befitting manner in Egypt, O all-wise Mark” - Sticheron at Vespers).

His relationship, of course, with the apostles Paul and Peter is not equal. The Hymnographer, while making mention of the following of the Apostle Paul by Saint Mark in the above troparion, nowhere else mentions anything of their relationship, and this because, as is known, the Apostle Paul did not wish to continue to have as his co-worker the then young John Mark, indeed his nephew, on account, evidently, of his inability to keep up with the feverish pace of Paul’s own missionary activity. On the contrary, Saint Theophanes repeatedly refers to the particular relationship which the Apostle Peter developed with Mark, considering the foremost apostle as his principal teacher, so much so that the Holy Gospel of Mark is in the end a recording of the teaching of Peter. From the roughly eleven troparia that describe Mark’s discipleship under Peter, we note quite selectively the following:

The Authorship of the Gospel of Mark According to Early Christian Sources

 

The earliest references to the authorship of the Gospel of Mark come from late 1st–2nd century Christian writers. They consistently associate the Gospel with Mark, understood as a companion and interpreter of the apostle Peter. Here are the key sources in roughly chronological order:

1. Papias of Hierapolis (c. 100–130 AD)

Papias is the earliest known source to explicitly discuss Mark’s authorship. His work is preserved later by Eusebius of Caesarea.

“Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatever he remembered… though not in order, the things said or done by the Lord.”

Key points:

- Mark is Peter’s interpreter (ἑρμηνευτής).
- He wrote from Peter’s preaching.
- The Gospel is accurate but not arranged in strict order.

Prologue in Sermons: April 25

The Reasons for Spiritual Laziness in Us

April 25

(A Word from the Paterikon)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Once a hermit was conversing with a brother about spiritual benefit. During the conversation, the listener grew heavily drowsy, so much so that he could not even raise his eyes. But when the speaker changed the subject and began to speak idle things, the drowsy one immediately came to himself, rejoiced, and began to listen attentively to the idle talk (Prol. Apr. 25).

We have related this brief story to you, brethren, because, in our opinion, it applies more closely than to anyone else to Christians of today — and not only to some, but to very many. Indeed, let us look at ourselves impartially. Here comes the Lord’s Feast; the church bells summon to church; conscience also commands us to go there; but how difficult it is, for example, to rise for Matins! All your infirmities will rise up here, and despondency and a certain kind of discontent will weigh you down.

Encomium to the Holy Great Martyr of Christ George the Trophy-Bearer (St. Andrew of Crete)

Introduction

The present encomiastic discourse to Saint George has a particular characteristic. Saint Andrew, astonished before the martyrdom of Saint George, praises him with wondrous words, making an effort to bring forth the greatness of the Saint’s soul. Yet, unintentionally, he also allows his own spiritual wealth to be revealed. Then follows Saint Nikodemos who, out of love for his neighbor, in order to offer pure evangelical nourishment, renders into the language of his time the discourse of Saint Andrew. This rendering, however, is also imbued with his own holiness. He gives to the text a new pulse, a new vitality, without setting aside either the Saint being praised, or Saint Andrew who composed the encomium. Thus, we have three persons gathered together around one axis: the person of Christ. And the word of the Lord, that “for where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in their midst” (Matt. 18:20), demonstrates the particular grace of this text. It is a marvelous introduction into the communion of the Saints, where all things tend and move around Christ, where every sanctified mind, animated by the spirited tone and inflamed by the highest desire, becomes wholly an eye, delighting in the glory of the person of Christ. All the words of this encomium both lead to, and are guided by, the host of the communion of love, this “most singular” Word. Christ, attended by the Great Martyr George, Saint Andrew, and Saint Nikodemos, calls us to the banquet of His Kingdom. The present edition of the text aims at imparting the taste of this communion of the Saints.

The Icon of the Resurrection of Christ (Photios Kontoglou)

The Icon of the Resurrection of Christ 

By Photios Kontoglou

In Orthodox iconography, the type of the icon of the Resurrection is the one upon which the image of this book cover was made, and it bears the title “Resurrection” or “The Descent into Hades.” In the center is depicted Christ, of greater stature than the other figures, within a radiant “glory.” With forceful movement He steps upon the shattered gates of Hades, which opens beneath His feet like a dark cave, strewn with locks, keys, and broken bars. With His right hand He pulls Adam, and with His left Eve, drawing them out of the tombs. On His hands and feet are visible the marks of the nails.

On the right and left surrounding their Redeemer and standing in amazement are the “righteous,” that is, those who were pleasing to God from the foundation of the world until the Incarnation of Christ: Enoch, Noah, Moses, Elijah, David, Solomon, and the others. First on the right appears Saint John the Forerunner, because, after he proclaimed beforehand to the world the coming of the Lord, he was beheaded and descended into Hades in order to announce also to “those bound from ages past” that the Redeemer would descend to free them from the bonds of Hades, “and as a forerunner to the faithful in Hades.”

Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker in the Hymnography of the Orthodox Church

By Fr. George Dorbarakis

The Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker becomes especially relevant in our time, chiefly because her entire life was — and continues by grace to be — an extraordinary presence of compassion toward the world. Especially today, when a large number of our fellow human beings live in sorrow and distress due to the many problems of daily life, the Venerable one comes as a foremost protector of those in affliction, to grant that grace which helps overcome sorrow and attain true joy. The Holy Hymnographer of our Church records this clearly from the very beginning of the hymns dedicated to her: “You received the grace to drive away the illnesses of souls and bodies, Venerable Mother, to expel evil spirits by the Holy Spirit, and to be the protector of all those in afflictions” (Vespers Sticheron).

Her entire life was a conscious effort to share in the suffering of her fellow human beings — that is, to live the true and genuine love brought by the Lord Jesus Christ. And this means, of course, that she struggled to remain firmly upon the rock of the Orthodox faith, since true love toward God and neighbor is known to be the most excellent flower of the right Orthodox faith. Faith and love are two sides of the same coin, and whoever thinks he can have one without the other is gravely mistaken. “You practiced compassion, Orthodox faith, and love toward the Lord and your neighbor, O Venerable one blessed by God, therefore the divine grace of the Spirit rested in you, Mother Elizabeth” (Vespers Sticheron).

Chapel of Venerable Elizabeth in Agios Amvrosios of Cyprus

In the village of Agios Amvrosios in Limmasol, Cyprus, there is preserved a very old medieval chapel with distinctive frescoes. This chapel is dedicated to the Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker and is considered a priceless jewel of the village.

The church has a unique architectural style and is situated in a secluded yet peaceful setting. In addition, the entire structure is protected by the Department of Antiquities.

Synaxarion of Venerable Elizabeth the Wonderworker

On the same day of the month (April 24th), we commemorate our Venerable Mother Elizabeth the Wonderworker.

Verses

Elizabeth, leaving the earth, O Word of God,
as a pure bride beholds You, the fair Bridegroom.
On the twenty-fourth Elizabeth departed to heaven.

This Venerable Elizabeth, from a young age, entered into ascetic struggles; therefore she received from the Lord the grace of healing, and she healed various sufferings and illnesses. Her birth was revealed from above by divine revelation, and it was foretold by God that she would become a chosen vessel.

The blessed one wore only a single garment, and because of this she endured hardship from the cold and frost of winter. She never washed her body with water. She spent forty days fasting. For three years she kept her mind entirely fixed on God, and with her bodily eyes she did not look at all upon the beauty and vastness of the sky. By her prayer she put to death a poisonous and very large serpent. For many years she did not taste oil. She did not wear shoes on her feet.

Prologue in Sermons: April 24

 

On Attending the Church of God

April 24

(A discourse of Saint John Chrysostom, that Christians ought to leave their work and go to church when the time comes.)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Many Christians are very negligent in attending the church of God, and in many churches, even on feast days, the church bell resounds as though in some wilderness, and the churches themselves remain empty. Because of this, we have resolved today to offer the following word from Saint Chrysostom to such negligent people. If they do not listen to us, then let them at least listen to the universal teacher.